346 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



not likely to prove successful ; but the horse came 

 to the post, started for, and won the race. The 

 money given to the jockey by the gentleman was 

 most likely a thank-offering for a windfall. Many 

 a jockey has received in the same way an unex- 

 pected douceur, although not perhaps of so large a 

 sum. Single sovereigns are often presented to 

 jockeys by small gamblers. It is related of a suc- 

 cessful light-weight jockey, well known on the 

 turf a few years ago, but who, alas, poor lad, now 

 lies under it, that he accumulated in a money-box, 

 during one season, all the single sovereigns which 

 he received as presents from gratified although 

 humble patrons, and presented them to his sister, 

 the sum so given amounting to a little over 

 ^300. Occasionally a jockey is presented with 

 the horse he has ridden when it proves unsuc- 

 cessful, and in some instances the animal has 

 afterwards proved to be more valuable than was 

 supposed when given away. 



The policy of paying large sums to jockeys 

 has frequently been discussed, and those in the 

 habit of giving valuable gifts in money have been 

 well abused for inconsiderate liberality. The 

 interests at stake, however, since the horse 

 became the instrument of gambling it now is, are 

 so gigantic as to render it imperative that jockeys 

 be placed beyond temptation. The total value of 

 the stakes which were contested during last year 

 (1890) amounted to considerably over ^446,000, 

 not to speak of the sums dependent on wagers, 

 which were probably ten times that amount. 

 Whether, therefore, in the face of such risks, 

 ;^i,ooo is too little, or too much, or just the right 

 sum to be given with a view to secure a rider's 



